[Cholestatic hepatitis with a chronic course. 7 cases]

Cholestatic hepatitis, whilst having a longer course than cytolytic forms, in general regresses in a few months. The authors report here seven cases of cholestatic hepatitis lasting for more than 18 months. These chronic forms have certain characteristic features: - female predominance (6 cases out of 7). - a severe degree of cholestasis with, in particular, marked elevation of lipids, cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase. - the absence of Australia antibody and antigen, together with the absence of anti-smooth muscle antibody and anti-mitochondrial natibody. - a decrease in the number of permeable biliary canaliculi in the portal spaces. - a decrease in the number of permeable biliary canaliculi in the portal spaces. - a course which appears to be little influenced by various therapeutic measures. Although the final course seems satisfactory on the majority of cases, the possibility of a slow cirrhogenic transformation cannot be excluded in certain instances.